We are proud to present to you our Featured Members for the month of July! With the weather getting nicer and everyone enjoying their summers, these members are sure to brighten your day a little more! Don't forget to constantly check your PROJECTS page and keep on the look out for opportunities. In the meantime, get to know your homepage members and if you're interested in working with them, don't hesitate to reach out to them! Have a great July everyone!
Model of the Month: Megan Lewis
What inspires you?
Imperfection. The small flaws and things that make a photo - and life - compelling.
What product can you not live without?
I make a texture spray for hair that I love. It consists of sea salt, rosewater, glycerin, rosemary oil and castor oil. Right now I'm also loving Too Faced Beauty Balm and Phylia (de M) Connect spray.
What do you look for when selecting a photographer to work with?
You never really know this until you've seen them shoot but to me what makes a photographer great is knowing how to give the right kind of direction. Photographers who give the model enough latitude, yet know how to provoke and direct just enough to get those surprising moments, in my experience, get the best shots. Direction isn't about control, but it's about creating a moment worth looking at.
What is your personal style?
Lately I'm kind of into 90's grunge - cutoffs, plaids/flannels, dark lipstick, fitted crop tops and combat boots.
Why modeling?
I was a ballet dancer for over 10 years, so modeling almost seemed natural with the movement and angles I was accustomed to from dance. I also grew up in an amazing academic family where everything was based on merit. It absolutely served me well but as an adult I like the fact that modeling is unpredictable. It has taught me to be more free-spirited and less hard on myself.
Photographer of the Month: Djeneba
Why photography?
Actually photography found me, out of the blue. I discovered that when I put my eye into a viewfinder, the world stopped spinning and I was totally in the present moment. It was really a revelation. From then on I just had to pursue photography. It enables me to capture a moment together with an emotion and I live for that moment - it's magical.
What inspires you?
Literally anything and everything inspires me. To me, the mystery lies in not really knowing what will be there, because then I find new angles or see things that I wouldn't see otherwise. When a shoot is planned which for most jobs is totally normal, then the element of surprise is taken away to make sure the adequate shots will be taken in the best possible way. Well I do like when situations are random and I have the capacity of capturing images that would otherwise never occur in a perfect set up. This is likely to happen for personal work rather than on a job. But I find that very inspiring.
What genre does your work focus on?
I shoot a wide variety of things that are not featured on my website, otherwise people seem to get confused so I had to minimize. I shoot fashion in general, may it be editorial, look books, and beauty but I also shoot fine art, movement, music artists and landscape.
What do you look for when selecting a model to work with?
Selecting a model is very tricky. Some models photograph really well and look totally different in real life and vice-versa so it is important to see them in the flesh if possible but also to look at their photos. I look for poise and a certain elegance.
What is your most embarrassing moment professionally?
Well it's always when I look into the viewfinder and it takes me a while to notice that the lens cap is still on. For a few seconds I am wondering why it's so dark in there!
Makeup Artist of the Month: Andrea C Samuels
Andrea C Samuels is an internationally published makeup artist located in Chicago. She's available for hire in New York, Los Angeles and internationally upon request. She has over eight years of experience in these applications: basic, clinical, print, theatrical, special fx, film, television, men's grooming as well as basic to medium hair styling.
Hair Stylist of the Month: Janice LaTorre
Why hairstyling?
Actually, I never considered
becoming a hair stylist. All I remember is my God Parents saying to
me, what are you doing with your life? I was probably in my late
teens or early twenties at this time and my response was, “I don't
know”. I thought I wanted to go to school to become a
Chiropractor and minor in Music. I was in college, ran out of
funds, and accrued debt. My God parents suggested I become a hair
stylist and consider going back to college later on in life. I
never turned back and realized that this is what I should be doing.
And I am so grateful for where I am today and the people in my life
that influenced this journey I have been on.
What inspires you?
I feel inspired when I am
surrounded by talented artists within the fashion industry,
especially when I work in NYC. I'm always excited for the next new
project to come along.
What product can you not live without?
At the moment, I am currently
addicted to Aquage Freezing Foam. I feel like I can do anything
with this styling product. Freezing Foam is amazing on most hair
short, medium, or long.
What is your personal style?
I would say my personal style would be
jeans, shoes, boots, city sneakers, fitted shirts.
What genre does your work focus on?
I try not to limit myself to any one
type of genre. Most of the work I do behind the chair usually is
Modern, Sexy, Chic, Trendy, Punk or Rock like hair styles. When I
work on special projects it can vary upon the job.
Wardrobe Stylist of the Month: Jumflo Fashion Productions (Justin Flowers)
Why wardrobe styling?
I chose wardrobe styling because I felt like my vision wasn't behind the camera, but what the camera is shooting. I love telling a story through garments, and I love making people see past the clothes.
What inspires you?
One website: www.Solestruck.com. They give me a real mess and over time I go to the website. I truly love all of their looks and they give me the vision that I need to keep doing the quirky and weird fashions that I truly love doing.
What do you look for when selecting a model to work with?
I look for models that have the "non-model" look. Striking features are great and all, but I love natural faces, beautifuly bodies - no matter what shape and size you are and of course I love a good attitude!
What is your favorite store to shop at?
Thrift Town! I love taking vintage pieces and turning them out to become something that no one else has seen before. It also helps that I know I won't find anyone else around with the same piece that I have.
What genre does your work focus on?
I love to focus on Advertisements, especially shoes. I am a shoe freak. I dedicate my time to making sure that shoes get its time in the fashion world as well!
